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As Li Jiancheng was diligently consolidating his power in Chang'an, Yuwen Bao was cautiously executing the task assigned to him by Li Yuanji—monitoring Zhang Liang's every move in Luoyang.
Luoyang, an ancient and bustling city, was currently rife with hidden currents. Zhang Liang, a trusted confidant of Li Shimin, had been sent to Luoyang and was conducting his affairs with great secrecy. However, through his wit and caution, Yuwen Bao managed to uncover some clues. He noticed that Zhang Liang frequently met with mysterious individuals; some dressed like wealthy merchants while others bore the air of wanderers. Each meeting was brief yet shrouded in mystery.
Realizing that the situation was far from simple, Yuwen Bao intensified his surveillance of Zhang Liang. One day, he followed Zhang Liang to an abandoned manor outside Luoyang. After entering the manor, Zhang Liang did not emerge for a long time. Yuwen Bao stealthily infiltrated the manor and hid in a corner to observe. He discovered that many people were busy inside, transporting heavy boxes that emitted the faint sound of metal clashing, resembling weapons.
"There's definitely something wrong!" Yuwen Bao thought to himself, alarmed. "Zhang Liang is secretly stockpiling weapons here; he must be preparing for some nefarious scheme for Li Shimin." Without delay, he decided to gather more evidence before returning to Chang'an to report to Li Yuanji.
However, Zhang Liang was highly vigilant. His subordinates had set up numerous watchmen around the manor, and Yuwen Bao's movements were quickly detected.
"Who are you? Sneaking around here!" a burly man suddenly appeared from behind and grabbed Yuwen Bao's shoulder.
Yuwen Bao's heart sank, but he quickly composed himself, breaking free from the man's grip and drawing a dagger from his waist, assuming a defensive stance.
"I'm just passing through and got lost," Yuwen Bao attempted to disguise his identity.
"Hmph, passing through? Do you think I would believe that? Just by looking at you, it's clear you mean no good. Speak up—did the Crown Prince send you?" the man growled menacingly.
Yuwen Bao was taken aback; he hadn't expected the man to guess his identity so quickly. He knew he could no longer hide the truth.
"Yes, I'm here to investigate you. Zhang Liang is secretly recruiting assassins and hoarding supplies with intentions of rebellion; you won't escape punishment!" Yuwen Bao declared loudly.
The man sneered upon hearing this: "Just you? You won't leave here alive today!" With that, he whistled sharply, and soon a group of people surged forth, surrounding Yuwen Bao.
Undaunted, Yuwen Bao wielded his dagger and engaged in fierce combat. Although outnumbered, he was skilled in martial arts and adeptly dodged their attacks while seeking an opportunity to break free.
During the fight, Yuwen Bao noticed that these opponents had varied fighting styles, clearly hailing from different backgrounds. He became even more convinced that Zhang Liang's influence in Luoyang was far from simple; there must be a grand plan behind it all.
"You fools risk your lives for Li Shimin; it's truly foolish!" Yuwen Bao shouted as he fought.
"Enough talk! Today is your last day!" the enemies pressed on relentlessly.
Gradually feeling fatigued and sustaining multiple injuries, Yuwen Bao knew he could not give up; he had to deliver the evidence. Just when he felt he could hold on no longer, he suddenly spotted an opening in the encirclement. It turned out one of his subordinates had come to rescue him after receiving news of his plight.
"Run!" his subordinate shouted loudly.
Seizing the chance, Yuwen Bao broke through with his ally and escaped the manor. However, he knew that Zhang Liang would not let this go easily; he would surely send someone after him. He needed to leave Luoyang quickly and safely deliver the evidence back to Chang'an.
On his way back to Chang'an, Yuwen Bao carefully evaded Zhang Liang's pursuit. He traveled by night and took obscure paths during the day. Along the way, he faced hardships and endured much suffering but never gave up.
Meanwhile, in Luoyang, upon learning of Yuwen Bao's escape, Zhang Liang flew into a rage.
"This Yuwen Bao has thwarted my plans! We must find him and kill him!" Zhang Liang gritted his teeth as he spoke.
He immediately dispatched numerous men to search for Yuwen Bao's whereabouts throughout Luoyang and its surroundings. At the same time, he began to worry whether his plans had been exposed and decided to accelerate his actions.
"Notify everyone to accelerate the recruitment of assassins and stockpiling of supplies; we can no longer delay!" Zhang Liang instructed his subordinates.
At this moment in Chang'an, Li Jiancheng remained oblivious to the situation in Luoyang. He continued to discuss with his supporting ministers how to further weaken Li Shimin's influence.
"Your Highness, we have already impeached some of Li Shimin's close associates, but his influence in the military remains significant. We must find a way to diminish his prestige among the troops," one minister said.
Li Jiancheng pondered for a moment and replied, "I plan to propose to Father that I take charge of more military affairs, which will allow me to gradually gain more military power. At the same time, we need to place our own people within the army to keep track of the soldiers' movements."
The ministers nodded in agreement.
Just then, Niu Fu hurried into the study, bringing an important report to Li Jiancheng.
"Your Highness, we've just received word that Yuwen Bao, sent by Prince Qi to Luoyang, seems to be in trouble; Zhang Liang's men are hunting him down," Niu Fu reported.
Li Jiancheng was taken aback. "Yuwen Bao? What is he doing in Luoyang? Has Prince Qi discovered something?"
He immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation and decided to closely monitor developments in Luoyang while awaiting news about Yuwen Bao.
Meanwhile, outside Luoyang in a mountainous forest, Yuwen Bao struggled onward. His wounds had begun to fester due to lack of timely treatment, and each step sent sharp pain through him. But he knew he could not stop; he had to return to Chang'an as quickly as possible.
"I must hold on and deliver the evidence to Prince Qi!" Yuwen Bao silently urged himself.
Finally, after enduring countless hardships, Yuwen Bao saw the gates of Chang'an. Summoning his last ounce of strength, he rode into the city and headed straight for Prince Qi's residence.
"Prince Qi, something terrible has happened!" Yuwen Bao said weakly upon meeting Li Yuanji.
Li Yuanji quickly helped him up and asked anxiously, "What happened? How did you get injured?"
Yuwen Bao recounted everything he had seen and heard in Luoyang and presented the evidence he had gathered.
"Zhang Liang is indeed preparing for a rebellion against Li Shimin! This evidence is sufficient to prove their guilt!" Yuwen Bao declared.
Li Yuanji's heart soared as he looked at the evidence. "Good! You have done well! This time we finally have a chance to bring down Li Shimin!"
He immediately took the evidence to the Eastern Palace to discuss strategies with Li Jiancheng.
"Brother, look at this evidence; Li Shimin's actions in Luoyang are clear as day. We must report this to Father immediately and demand severe punishment for Li Shimin!" Li Yuanji said excitedly.
Li Jiancheng examined the evidence thoughtfully before responding, "We must not act hastily. Although we have evidence, we need to consider everything carefully. Father has always favored Li Shimin; we need to prepare thoroughly if we want him to believe this evidence."
"What should we do?" Li Yuanji asked.
"First, let's organize the evidence and find some ministers who can testify for us. At the same time, we must keep an eye on Li Shimin's movements to prevent him from acting out of desperation," Li Jiancheng advised.
Thus, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji began making thorough preparations to expose Li Shimin's conspiracy. They knew this would be a crucial struggle; if successful, Li Shimin would no longer pose a threat to them, and Li Jiancheng's position as Crown Prince would be more secure. However, they also understood that Li Shimin was no ordinary opponent; he would surely devise ways to counter this crisis. A greater storm was about to erupt in Chang'an City.
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